Why is workplace safety so important?

Creating a safe work environment is arguably the employer’s most important job. A safe place to work means employees have little to no risk of developing an injury or illness while on the job. OSHA law also requires "employers to provide their employees with working conditions that are free of known dangers.”

If you are running an unsafe operation, consequences can be serious, even life-threatening.

Not only is it the law to keep workers safe, but it is a moral responsibility. People that work within a facility or at a worksite have families, friends, and lives outside of being employed. Their safety and health should never be comprised for a paycheck. For that reason, it is critical to put their well-being at the forefront of your business.

What is workplace safety?

Occupational safety is important for a number of reasons. First and foremost, an employee should never compromise their health and bodily safety to complete a job. Instead, employers have both the legal and moral obligation to provide a working environment that is free from known risks.

To achieve that, employers need to develop a safety strategy that fits their facility. For example, this can be implemented through actions such as holding training sessions to provide necessary safety program information or providing PPE at no cost.

Not only will employees experience a morale boost, but productivity and overall work culture will have improved as well.

Essential Workplace Safety Programs

All workplaces must have facility safety programs to help enhance safe behavior while at work. How the business chooses to implement these programs is up to them, but they often include subjects such as:

• Emergency procedures
• Chemical safety
• First aid
• Equipment safety
• Fire safety
• Electrical safety

For all employers, it is important to assess the workplace hazards and act accordingly. Each workplace is different, so it will be important to tailor any safety efforts to meet the needs of the facility.

Common Workplace Safety Procedures

Safety programs are nothing without the help of safety procedures. These are the actions that maintain safety programs in the event of an inspection, and even for reconsidering options due to a recent workplace injury or illness.

Having an effective workplace safety strategy or procedure includes:

• Providing personal protective equipment
• Implementing safeguards
• Using administrative controls
• Offering training

When workers are informed of any present dangers and understand the necessary safety procedures, the team will be happier, healthier, and more productive.

Prioritizing The Safety and Health of all Employees

The common saying of “a safe workplace is an efficient workplace” matters when the staff and their clients rely on the success of the company in terms of value. Keeping workers safe will improve employee morale and when employees are happy with their job, the more productive they will be.

Employees operate much more efficiently when they know they can complete their job or task without their health being affected. An effective safety program also works to reduce risk. Therefore, it also works to reduce any unexpected downtime caused by ailments, injuries, or any of the eight wastes of Lean.